Wallace Spearmon wins USA title

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE – Former Razorback and Fayetteville native Wallace Spearmon, Jr. won a USA title on Sunday at the USA Championships, in Des Moines, Iowa. Two Razorbacks also competed in the women’s pole vault.

Spearmon, Jr. won the 200 meters, his signature event, in a time of 19.77. He finished sixth with a clocking of 20.87 in the semifinals earlier in the day to advance to the finals. In Saturday’s prelims, he won his heat and finished fourth overall with a time of 21.05. The three-time World Championships medalist now owns two USA titles in the 200 meters with his win in 2006.

"I actually wanted to go out and run the time," Spearmon, Jr. said. "That was my main focus. The straightaway is pretty much set in stone. Running in a lane further outside was fun for me. There was one guy in front of me. I raced him three times in the 100, Evander Wells. I know he’s going to get out. I just wanted to see him, pass him and not see anyone else. This title feels great and I’m happy to get a fast time to go along with it."

In the women’s pole vault, senior Katie Stripling finished seventh with a height of 14-1.25. Former Razorback April Steiner Bennett finished ninth with a clearance of 14-1.25.